Why Do Babies See Chiropractors?

Most people do not understand and are even surprised that babies, some only a few days old, have their spine checked in a chiropractic office.

When the facts are explained however, it makes common sense.  One only needs to ask a midwife to find out that the birth process can sometimes be very traumatic.

Diane Russo, an obstetrical nurse for 20 years has seen natural births, complicated births and invasive deliveries involving forceps and suction.

“In the case of severe birth trauma, the problems would become apparent right away.  In one case an obstetrical resident used forceps to expediate a birth and fractured a boy’s skull.  The end result was a mentally retarded who could not speak, walk, talk or recognise his parents.  He was placed in an institution for life.

Many other births were traumatic, however the infants showed no outward manifestations of pain or symptoms.  I often wondered what the effect of these traumas would be on those children throughout their lifetime.  How would it affect their potential as human beings?”

In fact, one gynaecologist stated this about the birth process:

“The birth process, even under optimal controlled conditions is a potentially traumatic, crippling event for the foetus....the mechanical stress imposed by obstetrical manipulation - even the application of structural orthodox procedures may prove intolerable to the foetus.  The view has been expressed clinically that most signs of neonatal injury observed in the delivery are neurological.”

The new-born who only knew warmth, softness, darkness and comfort in the womb is suddenly exposed to a cold, noisy, harsh and blinding world after birth.

In the German medical journal, Manuelle Medizin, researchers Gutmann and Fryman reported examining a random group of 1258 babies within 5 days after birth.  Of this group, 211 suffered from vomiting, hyperactivity and sleepiness.  The researchers revealed spinal abnormalities in 95% of the group.  The authors noted that spinal adjustments “...frequently resulted in immediate quieting, cessation of crying, muscular relaxation and sleepiness.”  They further noted that spinal subluxation in the upper neck area causes “...many clinical features from central motor impairment to lowered resistance to infection - especially ear, nose and throat infections.”

One case history given was that of a 10 month old boy who suffered from tonsillitis, frequent enteritis, conjunctivitis, frequent colds, earaches and worsening sleeping problems.  After the first spinal adjustment, the child was put to bed and he slept peacefully until the next morning.  His health quickly returned to normal.

Such cases are not uncommon in Chiropractic offices around the world.  Many conditions suffered by infants respond very well to chiropractic care.  Some of the cases seen in our office range from bedwetting, hyperactivity, conjunctivitis, colic asthma, ear infections, teething pains, sleeping problems, feeding problems and uncontrollable crying.

Chiropractic normalises spinal and cranial bone motion allowing the nervous system to function properly.  With the interference removed, the nervous system is able to communicate with all of the other systems and organs of the body as it is intended to do.  The body is then able to function in a fully coordinated manner.  This allows the body to heal itself and work towards optimal health and its full potential.

Spinal misfunctions which cause nervous system interference are called subluxations.  Altered or absent cranial bone motion can also have subtle effects on the central nervous system, in particular, the brain.  Babies can develop subluxations during the birth process even when little or no intervention has occurred simply due to the pressures exerted on the skull and upper neck. 

Other causes of subluxations in children include lack of proper head and neck support, poorly designed car seats, direct trauma, chemical insults (eg allergies and poor diet), emotional upsets, falls , bad posture, “non contact” sports, heavy schoolbags, stress and diseases. 

In the first year of life, a baby’s spine will grow from about 24 centimetres in length to 36 centimetres.  This represents a 50% increase and is to most rapid phase of a child’s spinal growth.  Between the ages of 1 to 5, the spine increases by another 42%.  From 5 to 10 years of age, the growth rate is slower but still an increase of 20% in spinal length is expected.  Adolescents demonstrate growth spurts where a 7 to 12 centimetre addition to their height in less than a year is not unusual.

The first years are easily the fastest spinal growth periods but they are also a period of considerable trauma.  The spine endures the rigorous of birth to experience the full effects of gravity for the first time.  The child learns to sit, crawl, walk and fall!  All of these processes are necessary for the child’s development, including the important secondary curves of the spine, but can also cause abnormal spinal formation and function if subluxations are not addressed.

Babies should have their first check soon after birth and periodic check-ups during childhood will ensure no ill effects to the spine after the ‘micro-traumas’ of daily living.

When we plant a tree, we stake it and tie it up to ensure that it will grow straight during its early years.  If we don’t do this and the tree is allowed to bend with the wind as it grows, it eventually becomes impossible to straighten.  Don’t let your child’s spine develop like the unstaked tree.  Just as you don’t wait until your child has a toothache before taking them to the dentist, don’t wait for evidence of Back pain or headaches before having their spines checked.  If your child has an unhealthy spine it will affect their health potential.

Our Chiropractors at Body Brilliant Chiropractic are experts in checking babies, especially newborns and pregnant mothers to ensure a healthy spine and nervous system. Call our team today to arrange a check up for yourself or a little one, it could be the most important check up you ever have.

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